In the previous article, we summarized up to episode 18. The story follows Kirito as he sets out to save Asuna in the new game "ALO." As he heads towards the World Tree with his new companion Leafa, he senses something ominous. How will Kirito act from here?! The story is set to be full of twists and turns, so be sure to stick with us until the very end.
【Episode 19】Lugure Corridor
Recon's Message
Kirito and his friends navigate the massive cavern known as the "Lugure Corridor." Leafa receives a message from Recon. However, the message is cut off at a crucial point.
At that moment, he senses Yui approaching.
Follow
12 players. Using Leafa's magic to hide behind a wall, they spot a Salamander Tracer bat and try to escape to the city across the lake. Just when they thought they'd escaped...
Kirito and his friends are cornered
A magical wall blocks the entrance. Kirito and his friends are cornered. There are monsters in the lake, making escape impossible. They have no choice but to fight.
Kirito told Leafa to focus on healing from behind, saying it would allow her to fight more fully, and headed toward the enemy.
Countermeasures Implemented
However, Salamander also had a plan for Kirito. Kirito is held back by the shield-wielding vanguard, so they attack him with magic from behind.
Kirito uses Leafa's magic to restore his HP, but this is not enough to break through the vanguard. If he carries on like this, Kirito's HP will only decrease. Leafa suggests they give up, but Kirito firmly refuses.
Chance and Trump Card
Kirito faces the enemy again. Then Yui tells Leafa that now is her only chance.
She tells her to do her best to block the next magic attack.
Leafa creates a barrier, protecting Kirito from damage.
Spriggan then cast his signature illusion spell and transformed into a gigantic monster.
The Situation Turns
The formation falls apart, frightened by Kirito's monster form. Kirito defeats the Salamanders one after another. Leafa threatened Salamander, the only one she had spared, but he refused to talk, so Kirito began negotiations.
Information from the Enemy
According to Salamander, Kirito had become wary of her after rescuing Leafa, and was attacked because he was perceived as an obstacle to their plan. The low-ranking Salamander hasn't been told, but says they seem to be plotting something big. Kirito has received information that a large army has been seen flying north.
Message from Recon
After defeating the Salamander, Leafa asks about the demon he transformed into earlier.
Kirito is furious and bravely denies that he remembers.
He enters the town and remembers the message from Recon. Since Recon appears to have logged out, Leafa suggests to Kirito that she return to the real world and contact him.
Information from Recon
When Leafa returns to the real world, she sees a call from Recon on her phone. According to Recon, when investigating using invisibility magic, he discovered that Salamander and Sigurd had been talking about putting a tracer on Leafa, and that Sigurd had been in cahoots with Salamander for a long time, and was planning to have Salamander attack the alliance signing ceremony between Sylph and Cait Sith.
Kirito's Decision
Leafa returns to the game and explains the situation to Kirito. Kirito says that this is a problem for the Silphs, so there's no need for him to get involved. He also says that if Kirito wants to go to the top of the World Tree, it might be best for him to cooperate with Salamander, but Kirito says that he wants to be friends with Leafa, so he'll go with her no matter what the reason.
【Episode 20】The General of the Fierce Flame
Salamander Assault Force
Kirito and his friends rush to the meeting venue, passing through the Luglu Corridor at high speed, as Salamander is planning to attack the meeting between the lords of Sylph and Cait Sith. Yui then responds, revealing that the Salamander assault force numbered 68...
Kirito's Nature
Across from the Salamander assault force were Sylph and Cait Sith, and there were 50 seconds left until they made contact. Leafa, realizing that they won't make it in time, urges Kirito to give up, but Kirito replies, "Running away at this point isn't my style."
Kirito's Negotiation
Sylph and Cait Sith are surrounded by salamanders. Kirito arrives and tells them to put down their swords. Kirito said, trying to get Salamander to back off. It was a lie, but he said he was there to negotiate trade, but Salamander didn't believe him.
Eugene
Eugene, the commander of the Salamanders, listened to Kirito's chanting.
He then declared that if Kirito could withstand his attacks for 30 seconds, he would trust him and retreat.
Kirito agreed and crossed swords with Eugene.
The Strongest Man in ALO
Eugene is said to be the strongest player in terms of pure combat ability. Furthermore, Eugene's "Magic Sword Gram" has an extra effect that allows him to become intangible and pass through swords and shields, making his battle against Kirito a struggle. Just when it seemed like the 30 seconds were up and the fight was over, Eugene coldly announced that he wanted to slash and would change his plan to take the head.
Kirito's Secret Plan
Kirito's skills are evenly matched, but the difference in weapon performance makes him struggle.
Kirito then created a smoke screen to blind Eugene, and took the opportunity to borrow Leafa's sword.
Kirito appeared with the sun behind him and attacked Eugene, holding two swords in his hands.
A Promise Between Men
Kirito defeats Eugene with his two-sword style. He revives him with magic and begins negotiations. Eugene doesn't believe what Kirito says, but he promises to withdraw his troops and promises a rematch, after which Eugene turns away.
Sigurd the Traitor
Leafa speaks to Lord Sakuya about Sigurd's betrayal. Leafa wonders why Sigurd was spying for the Salamanders, and Sakuya explains the reincarnation system in the upcoming Update 5.0. I speculate that if he offered the lord's head, he would be reincarnated as a salamander.
Kirito's Popularity
Sakuya banished Sigurd. Sakuya and Alisha, who had fallen in love with Kirito, tried to invite him to their camp. Seeing this, Leafa, with her head down, desperately told him no...
Alliance
I came to this world to go to the World Tree. Kirito declines Sakuya and Alisha's invitation, saying there is someone he really wants to meet. The alliance is for the purpose of conquering the World Tree. Sakuya and the others promise to head to the World Tree as soon as they are equipped, and Kirito and the others part ways.
Escape
Asuna, who had always been watching the password Sugou typed in to open the door, finally memorized it and successfully escaped from the cage of the World Tree. In her heart, she told Kirito to do her best as she attempted to escape from this world.
【Episode 21】The Truth of Alfheim
Finally Reaching the World Tree
Kirito and his friends arrive at Arun, Alfheim's largest city, located at the foot of the World Tree. However, a broadcast came on informing them that the server would soon be closed for scheduled maintenance. Kirito and Leafa promised to meet again the next day and logged out.
Experimental Subject Storage Room
After escaping from the cage, Asuna searches for a console to log out, but along the way she comes across a sign that reads "Experimental Subject Storage Room."
There, she is enraged to see holograms of the brains of those captured by Sugo, revealing the experiments they are conducting. He then searched for the console without the scientists finding it, and finally found it...
A Visit to See Her
After returning to the real world, Kazuto went to visit Asuna. Suguha expressed a desire to see Asuna, so he accompanied her. Kazuto introduced her to the still-awake Asuna, and Suguha followed suit, greeting her.
Back in the Cage
Just before logging out, Asuna was captured by the scientist.
She was once again trapped in the cage. However, Asuna had already removed the card from the console. Returning to the cage, Asuna remained undeterred, telling Kirito in her heart that she would not lose.
Suguha's Regret
Seeing Kirito holding Asuna's hand, who hadn't woken up, Suguha regretted coming. When she logged in and reunited with Kirito, she burst into tears, telling him that she had lost her love for Leafa. Kirito encouraged her.
We finally found her!
Leafa regains her energy. Kirito and his friends go to town and look up at the World Tree. They decide to go all the way to its base. Suddenly, Yui says she's heard something from her mother, and it turns out that Asuna is indeed in the World Tree's cage.
【Episode 22】Grand Quest
Kirito Impulsively Jumps Out
Kirito, sensing Asuna, flies to the top of the World Tree, but a barrier created by the system prevents him from even reaching the lowest branch. Even though Leafa tried to stop him, telling him it was impossible, he kept flying into the barrier. Seeing this, Leafa tried to stop him, but Kirito insisted he had to go.
A voice reached Asuna
Yui also shouted to the sky. Yui's voice, sent in warning mode, was faint but reached Asuna. Asuna also dropped the card she was carrying to let others know her location. When Kirito received it, he thought that Asuna had dropped it because she had noticed their presence and their voices.
Grand Quest
The gate leading to the World Tree is located inside a tower at the base of the tree. Guarded by Guardians, it's so difficult that no one has ever managed to break through it before. But Kirito insists on going anyway, and so he embarks on the Grand Quest, the only path to the World Tree's summit.
Realizing His Mistake
The gate opens, revealing the World Tree's entrance at the very top, on the ceiling. Kirito fights, imagining Asuna. However, the number of Guardians is overwhelming... Archers then appear, and Kirito's strength quickly runs out. Then he realizes that he was mistakenly thinking he could do anything.
Leafa Comes to the Rescue
Kirito thought she would just disappear, but Leafa rushes in,
sneaks through the Guardians, and picks up Kirito, who is still in a state of resurrection postponement. Despite being attacked, Kirito desperately escapes outside and is revived.
The Truth
Kirito thanks Leafa and asks her not to do anything reckless again.
He then attempts to take on the Grand Quest alone once again.
Leafa is speechless when she sees this, and Kirito tells her that they have to help Asuna.
It is then that Suguha realizes for the first time that Kirito's brother is Kazuto.
Suguha's Feelings
The two log out. Kazuto visits Suguha's room.
When Suguha asks to be left alone, Kazuto apologizes for using the Nerve Gear again. Suguha opens the door to the room and says that she loved Kirito and Kazuto, but that she will forget everything.
Kazuto apologizes, but Suguha coldly tells him to leave him alone and pulls him away.
【Episode 23】Bonds
Kazuto's Past
Kazuto discovered he wasn't a real child at the age of 10. Since then, he's lost his sense of distance from his family. He's become obsessed with online games. However, after two years of SAO, I learned that reality and the virtual world are essentially the same; all I can do is believe and accept them.
Kazuto's Feelings
Returning and seeing Suguha's face was truly heartwarming. I vowed to do my best to close the gap that had grown over the past few years. All she can do now is tell Kirito that she'll be waiting for him in ALO.
Recon's Confession
Leafa logged in and was wondering what to say to Kirito when Recon arrived. Leafa tearfully declares that she will never see Kirito again, and Recon immediately confesses his feelings and presses her into a kiss. Seeing this, Leafa is shocked, but also cheers up.
Kirito and Leafa's Match
Leafa challenges Kirito to a match. However, halfway through, she lets go of the sword. Kirito also lets go of his sword. They both wanted to apologize but couldn't find the words, so they were thinking of catching the sword.
However, Leafa also lets go of her sword, and they both apologize. With Recon joining them, Kirito and the others once again take on the Grand Quest.
How to Complete Grand Quests
According to Yui, Gartians aren't particularly powerful in terms of stats, but there are far too many of them. It seems like the difficulty level is set to be impossible to beat. However, Kirito says that with his skill proficiency, it might be possible to instantly complete the quest.
Number of Threats
Kirito takes on the Guardians, while Leafa and Recon heal from behind. This way, there's no need to worry about being attacked, but no matter how many Guardians you defeat, countless will appear. And unlike other monsters, they'll also target Leafa and Recon, who are in the back trying to heal Kirito.
Absolutely deadly
Recon stops Leefa, who is about to leave the front. I say I'll do something about it, and use suicide magic to sacrifice him and drill a hole in the wall.
Kirito tries to break through the hole that Recon had opened, but the hole is soon blocked, and Leefa, who is recovering Kirito, is also attacked and is in a desperate situation.
The friends who rushed over
Then Sylph and Kettsey's troops come to cheer them on. With a large force, he launches a full-scale attack, kicks out the Guardians, and Rifa throws his sword at Kirito as he heads towards the breakthrough. With two swords stacked together, Kirito jumps into the Guardian. Then we reached the door leading to the World Tree.
No open door
There was a door there but it was not opened. Yui says the door is locked by administrator authority and cannot be opened by players.
The Guardian surrounds Kirito, who is shaking. At that moment, Kirito remembers the card he received from Asuna. Have Yui read the card. The door has opened.
Summary
It is packed with episodes between Leefa and Kirito, Naoha and Kazuto, and shows when Kirito realizes Kirito's true identity, and Yui and Kirito's feelings for Asuna, and in the 23rd episode, Kirito finally reaches the rescue of Asuna. I'm really looking forward to seeing how I'll rescue you from here!
